Matrix

While this book is a work of fiction, Groff chose two real historical figures, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Marie de France, as central characters. How does knowledge of these characters’ histories and historical contexts inform the reading of the book? What makes these women intriguing characters to embellish?

Eleanor and Marie have a complicated relationship. What are some similarities and some differences between them? How does their relationship change over the course of the novel?

Marie is in love with Eleanor from a very young age. She is also, at the same time, intimate with her friend Cecily. How are these two relationships different, and what different understandings does Marie come to about them?

Marie initially does not want to go to the abbey and only goes there because she is unsuited for anywhere else. What do you think begins to change her mind? What does she begin to find rewarding about abbey life?

As a child, Marie has a vision of a white doe. She has the vision again on her deathbed. What are the different circumstances of these visions? Does the white doe hold the same meaning in both of them? Explain.

Marie’s practices as an abbess often estrange her from the male-dominated church. Yet these practices grow out of her faith, which is also different from the type of faith prescribed at the church. How is it different? How might it be threatening to the church?

While this is a novel set in the Middle Ages, it also looks toward the future in evoking environmental collapse. What does Marie understand and not understand about this future? What makes her an effective character to evoke these realities?

What are Tilde’s motivations in burning Marie’s notebook of visions? How are these motivations complicated? What do you make of the suggestion that actions like hers will eventually lead to destruction on a grand scale?